A Bridlington businessman has spoken of the terrifying moment a landslide hit the popular beach on a Greek island he was visiting with his fiancee, which injured at least seven people.
Kieron Bowers, along with his partner Laura Turnbull, were among the hundreds of holidaymakers on the famous Shipwreck Beach in Zante when thousands of tons of limestone rocks fell away from the cliff face.
The couple had been on the beach for about half an hour when they heard “the sound of a huge explosion” before watching the slabs of rock collapse into the sea, flooding the enclosed beach area.
Said Kieron: “It was a birthday surprise for my fiancee Laura. We got to the beach by boat earlier than planned as the tour operator had changed the schedule….it was about 8.30 in the morning and the beach was filling up.”
“We heard a massive noise and glanced down the beach and saw the rocks falling down the cliff face. We were only about 100 yards away and had been stood in that same spot just five minutes before.”
The popular beach – officially called Navagio beach, taking its name from the remains of a cargo ship that was wrecked there nearly 40 years ago – is only accessible by boat.
“Our boat was tied up nearby and the force of the landslide caused the mooring rope to snap. With the huge wave that was caused, our boat was washed out to sea. The wave also washed away lots of personal belongings and mobile phones that had been next to sunbathers.”
He continued: “The wave sunk three boats and it took over an hour for ours to come back to shore to collect us….there was a lot of people on the beach panicking that they couldn’t find family and friends.”
At least seven people were confirmed as hurt following the incident, although the injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
The Greek media had reported that sniffer dogs searched the beach for possible victims before the coastguard said all visitors had been accounted for and access to the famous beauty spot was closed down.
Added Kieron who has his own business fitting stove and woodburners: “We got back to tell the tale – we have been to Zante four times and will go back again – it’s just one of those things that you don’t expect to happen.”
